Rappler: After the 2015 controversies: What's been happening inside the Iglesia ni Cristo?

For the INC's 105th anniversary on July 27, Rappler speaks with members, both active and inactive, who talk about changes – some of them painful – in their church

Jodesz Gavilan for Rappler

@jodeszgavilan

Published 11:35 AM, July 27, 2019

Updated 11:35 AM, July 27, 2019

MANILA, Philippines – For many years, Guia* embodied what is expected of a loyal member of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

She regularly attended services, moved in a circle full of INC members, aligned her activities with the teachings, and didn’t have any bit of doubt about what the church stands for.

“I was living in a bubble because my community was mainly centered around the church, the home, and the school,” Guia told Rappler. “I didn't have other perspectives.”

But everything changed one fateful month in 2015.

The months surrounding July 2015 were a battle of propaganda and violence between the strong circle of INC executive director Eduardo V. Manalo and the camp of expelled members, including high-ranking ministers and even members of the Manalo family. (READ: Revolt in the Iglesia ni Cristo)

There were huge rallies on EDSA, small stakeouts outside the family compound along Tandang Sora Avenue, and toxic exchanges on social media which extended to groups outside of the warring sides, including politicians and the media.

It was also when the INC explicitly flexed its political influence cultivated since its establishment in 1914 by Felix Manalo. (INFOGRAPHIC: What you should know about the Iglesia ni Cristo)

But for Guia and many members of the INC, the period starting July 2015 was the beginning of what they refer to as an unravelling of the group’s flaws. The biggest controversy that struck the 105-year-old religious group was a turning point for many who were born into, or grew up in, the church. (READ: Manalo brother hits Iglesia ni Cristo 'corruption')

“What made me more awakened, I guess, was that the facts are there,” Guia said, admitting being in denial for the first few months. “The videos kept coming up, more people were speaking up, the blogs were out…it’s that bad.”

The conversations painted a picture of a leadership both aggressively fighting doubts from its own members and shielding them from external criticism.

“I would look forward to going to Church before because I would love to listen to the lessons basically that say do good, check your lifestyle, there was no judgment,” Guia said.

“But now, it has become the way that we need to defend our church against these attackers, we are being attacked and therefore we should fight back,” she added.

Rappler has repeatedly tried since Wednesday, July 24, to get the side of the INC leadership through its spokesperson Edwil Zabala, but text messages and emails have yet to be answered as of Saturday, July 27. We will update this story once we get a response.

ONE. One of the social media posts supporting EVM after the 2015 controversies. Screenshot from Facebook

'One with EVM'

A few months after July 2015, Guia saw herself seated among other faithfuls inside one INC locale in Quezon City, watching a recorded video of Eduardo V Manalo – or EVM – preaching from one faraway place.

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It was the first of what became a fixture in many locales within and outside the Philippines, as confirmed by other INC members Rappler talked to.

Based in the United States, Luis* spent his whole life in the church as his father's side are all members of the INC while his mother converted upon marriage. He described himself as a "good follower" who held a few positions within his locale.

He told Rappler that these videos usually showed EVM preaching from different locations where he went to for church dedications, adding that many members who are against the leadership called this “‘pay-per-view’ service since you give your offering to watch a recording.”

Carlos*, whose INC locale is also in the US, said that the videos would be played every weekend and would take longer than the usual services.

“The church loves to pride itself in unity, so weekly lessons are the same worldwide,” he said.

For Guia, the videos felt like an effort by the church administration to keep EVM in the spotlight amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement. These charges against his leadership came from expelled members and his own family.

“I also felt uncomfortable with it [after a while] because I was in church and I would feel, bakit ako nanonood? (Why am I watching this?)” she said. “It wasn't spiritual for me, it's as if I was mechanically watching television.”

Aside from the frequent videos, many of the church activities were fashioned after the name of EVM, including one dubbed as "Make EVM Smile" project.

Jose*, an active INC member from 1988 to 2017 in Texas, said that he has seen how teachings shifted from being based on the Bible to everything for EVM.

The hymns he used to sing as a choir member growing up were pulled out and replaced with songs that give glory to the leadership. “I hear it’s only gotten worse now. People sing songs about him when he visits,” Jose added.

A quick search on YouTube will show several videos of songs about EVM. One of these songs, I Am One With EVM, was uploaded in August 2016 and featured international locales.

EVM AWARDS. The Iglesia ni Cristo holds its Excellence in Visual Media (EVM) awards in October 2015. File photo by Rappler

Obey the administration

Since July 2015, the circle of expelled and current members has grown bigger and with it, sentiments and allegations against the INC leadership. Anti-INC bloggers writing under pseudonyms became more active while international media reported on the controversies surrounding the INC.

These developments, as expected, did not sit well with the leadership. But for many inside the INC, particularly millennials, the external criticism opened their eyes to what was happening – something that the INC administration tried to discourage and stop.

How did they do it? According to INC members Rappler whom talked to, denial was their first resort followed by censorship of any external media that showed a contrary view.

“The church leadership censors the brethren as we are told not to listen, read, or watch anything that puts the church in a bad light,” Carlos said. “We are told not to believe the negative things that are being said about the church, and are told to only trust news that are on the church website/radio/TV channel.”

Luis, meanwhile, said that lessons became very repetitive and “became more focused on the administration and [the need] to obey them.” The church, he said, became more controlling of its members.

Dennis*, a member for 40 years, saw that the leadership implemented the mantra “obey and never complain” which forced many of its members to turn a blind eye to everything else or face possible expulsion.

“That mantra in itself reveals just how much the INC despises critical thought and analysis or accountability,” he told Rappler. “In other words, you are not allowed to ask questions just follow what you are told.”

Staying or leaving

This has led to a more problematic outcome, the members said, as sisters and brothers were allegedly encouraged to report those who are defying the orders of the leadership.

“There was a lot of tension within the brethren and they were encouraged to spy and tell on each other if they see that they might be against the church administration,” Carlos said.

Being expelled from the religious group, also called “tiwalag,” is said to be the worst thing that can happen to an INC member. For many, being subjected to it means you can no longer be "saved" or even lose benefits that come with membership in the church.

An expulsion decision is finalized ideally only after going through a rigorous process, an INC source told Rappler. The expelled member’s name is removed from the official roster and immediately announced in the following church service. (FAST FACTS: What does 'tiwalag' mean for Iglesia ni Cristo?)

Expelled members cannot attend INC-related activities, and in many cases, are barred from speaking to other members. This is precisely why many are afraid to speak up or go against the orders of the church leadership publicly.

“The paranoia became really high, everyone was being afraid of being reported,” Jose said.

There are INC members who have publicly challenged the leadership only to be persecuted and expelled. Others have reduced their involvement in church activities and are just waiting to be called out, lacking enough courage to actually terminate their membership given the repercussions. (READ: Ex-INC members alarmed over 'disappearances')

Guia believes that the loss of confidence of many of INC members could have been avoided if only the leadership was open to the questions they had. The lack of transparency only worsened things.

“It would help if they would just explain to us what’s happening just so I can see their openness to discuss what members feel about the controversies,” she said.

“I think it would make me more comfortable, more safer to be part of the church.” – Rappler.com

*Names of the subjects have been changed for their protection.

Iglesia Ni Cristo: The controverisal Filipino sect targeting Africa (Asia by Africa)

Mula sa Asia by Africa

Described as a cult by its detractors, Iglesia Ni Cristo has been implicated in criminal activity, including assassinations in the Philippines: now it’s setting its sights on Africa.

Just the Basics

• Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) is a Filipino megachurch founded over a century ago whose founder claims to be God’s last messenger
• The INC has been implicated in criminal activities and murders and maintains strict control over the lives of its adherents
• The church has spread across the world and is focusing its attention on Africa, presenting potential dangers to local communities

On Sunday mornings in South Africa churches across the country are packed with the faithful. In one neighbourhood in Cape Town, parishioners make the journey to the local church. Devoid of a steeple and surrounded by a white picket fence, the church exudes an unassuming air. Donning their Sunday best, worshippers file into the church, passing under a large seal emblazoned with the words Iglesia ni Cristo.

To anyone casting a casual glance, the phrase might be in Latin, a common enough occurence in many churches. Closer observation reveals something surprising: the writing is not in Latin, not even in Spanish - it’s Tagalog, the main language of the Philippines. Inside, the Southeast Asian hints are even more visible - the preacher leading the congregation is Filipino; one of many who have travelled to South Africa (and beyond) to spread the good news.

Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) - or the Church of Christ in English - is a sect from the Philippines that has set its sights on global expansion, with Africa seen as a key growth market. Despite being relative newcomers to Africa, back in the Philippines, the INC is a force to be reckoned with, boasting millions of followers and wielding considerable ecclesiastical and political power. The first INC congregation in South Africa was founded in 1977 by Rogelio M. Rafals, a doctor with the UN Development Program. Initially seeking out fellow Filipinos in the area, Rafals eventually received permission from the INC back in the Philippines to minister to the local population as well.

By 2015, the INC had a presence in nine African countries, with that number jumping to sixteen just a year later. 2018 has seen further rapid growth, with INC General Auditor Gilcerio B. Santos Jr. stating that “we’re sweeping both Northern and Southern Africa as we reach out to INC members and non-members alike.” Whereas the activities of Iglesia Ni Cristo look like yet another wave of foreign missionary work in Africa, the INC’s controversial reputation makes their expansion into Africa of particular concern.

Iglesia Ni Cristo and the personality cult of its Executive Minister

In order to understand the INC’s background and why its overseas expansion is viewed with suspicion by some, we need to leave Africa for the time being and return to the Philippines. The brainchild of one Felix Y. Manalo, the INC came into being in 1914 with Manalo as the church’s executive minister. INC teaching exalts Manalo as God’s last messenger, and that only members of the Church will be saved come the Rapture, for (in the INC’s view) all other Christian denominations have watered down Christ’s teachings.

“It’s comforting to know that we have salvation already promised because we are part of [Iglesia Ni Cristo],” says Johannesburg INC member Jabulile Mbonambi. “If I was told tomorrow that I have to go to a very deserted area just so that I could be a part of anything to do with the Church, it doesn’t matter. I won’t even think twice. I’ll just go because my membership mean my life to me.”

Iglesia Ni Cristo® ~ "My Church" ayon kay G. Felix Manalo

Madalas na ipinagmamalaki ng mga kaanib ng samahan ni Felix Manalo sa larangan ng palitan ng kuru-kuro sa social media, maging sa kanilang mga programa sa telebisyon o radiyo, maging sa kanilang limbag na Pasugo, na ang "Iglesia Ni Cristo®" o INC™ raw ay hango sa pag-aangkin mismo ni Cristo sa Mateo 16:18 ng "AKING" iglesia o "MY" church. Kaya't nararapat lamang daw itong tawaging "Iglesia Ni Cristo®" tulad ng paliwanag ng isang INC™ sa ibaba:

JESUS CHRIST said so (Mt. 16:18)

"And so I say to you, you are Peter [not Felix Manalo], and upon this rock  I [not Felix Manalo] will build my [not Manalo] church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."[Christ's original Church will not be re-established!!! Hell shall NOT prevail! It's CHRIST'S CHURCH!]

Wala tayong dapat na pagtatalo-talo rito sapagkat sa kasaysayan ng ating kaligtasan, may IISANG IGLESIANG kilala sa buong mundo bilang TATAG ni Cristo.

Ang pagpapakilala ni Cristo ng "AKING IGLESIA" sa Mateo 16:18 ay hindi po nangangailangan ng PAGPAPAREHISTRO sa anumang gobyerno noon o hanggang sa kasalukuyan sapagkat WALANG IBANG IGLESIANG KILALA na itinatag si CRISTO kundi ang IGLESIA KATOLIKA  (Gk: καθολική Εκκλησία) noon hanggang ngayon.

Ayon sa Wikipedia, ang Iglesia Katolika ay ang PINAKAMATANDA sa kasaysayan...

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with approximately 1.3 billion baptised Catholics worldwide as of 2016. As the world's "oldest continuously functioning international institution", it has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilisation. The church is headed by the Bishop of Rome, known as the Pope. Its central administration, the Holy See, is in the Vatican City, an enclave within Rome, Italy.

Ayon naman sa BRITANNICA ENCYCLOPEDIA, ang Iglesia Katolika raw ay katumbas ng pagkakakilala sa buong ka-Kristianuhan sa buong kasaysayan nito:

At one level, of course, the interpretation of Roman Catholicism is closely related to the interpretation of Christianity as such. By its own reading of history, Roman Catholicism originated with the very beginnings of Christianity.

Paano tayo nakakasigurado na ang IGLESIA KATOLIKA nga ay siya pa ring TUNAY NA IGLESIANG tatag ni Cristo at magpahanggang ngayon sa kasalukuyan ay HINDI ito NATALIKOD tulad ng BINTANG ng mga Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints) at ng mga kaanib sa Iglesia Ni Cristo® - 1914?

Sa pamamagitan ng mga turo nitong HINDI nagbabago sa libong taon na itinuro ng mga Apostol sa pangunguna ni Apostol SAN PEDRO na siyang UNANG PAPA ng Iglesia. Sa nakaraang mahigit-kumulang na 2,018 taon ng Kristianismo, si PAPA FRANCISCO ay ang ika-266 Papa ng Iglesia Katolika ~ ang tunay na Iglesiang tatag ni Cristo!

Source: Britannica Encyclopedia

"MY CHURCH": ANG PAG-AANGKIN NI FELIX MANALO SA IGLESIA NI CRISTO®

Wala na tayong pagtatalo-talo pa sapagkat ayon sa PAMANTAYAN ng mga kaanib sa INC™ na kapag SINABI ni Cristo na "AKING IGLESIA" o "MY CHURCH" para mapatunayang may Iglesia si Cristo mula pa noong una (at hindi ito matatalikod kailanman ayon sa Kanyang ipinangako "hindi mananaig ang impierno (Mt. 16:17)" ito rin ang gagamitin nating PAMANTAYAN sa Iglesia Ni Cristo®-1914.

Sa lathala ng The Free Press noong  Pebrero 1950, INANGKIN ni G. Felix Manalo ang INC™ o IGLESIA NI CRISTO® bilang "MY CHURCH" o "AKING IGLESIA". 

Samakatuwid, ang Iglesia Ni Cristo® ayon sa REHISTRO nito ay nilagdaan ni G. Felix Manalo bilang TAGAPAGTATAG gamit ang pangalang "Cristo" ngunit sa katunayan ay IGLESIA NI MANALO.

FELIX MANALO said:

Add caption

"Why, who is Quirino? He is a man just the same as I am. I am not afraid of him. Show fear to no man--that is the best way to defend your rights. Member of MY CHURCH were beaten up..." [Confirmation came right from the mouse of the horse! It's MANALO's CHURCH!]

PASUGO November 1940, p. 23:

“There is only one who could build a Church worthy for God.  Who is He-- Only Jesus Christ.  No man-- whether wise or fool, whether small or great-- has the right to build a Church." [FYM is a man, fool, made himself great has no right!]

PASUGO August-September 1964, p. 5, "Ang Katotohanan Tungkol sa INK-1914"

“When was the INK recorded or registered in the Philippines?  It was in July 27, 1914.  Truly the registration says Brother F. Manalo founded the INK."

PASUGO May 1968, p. 7:

“The true Church of Christ is only one.  This is the Church that Christ built.  If there are established (founded) churches today that claim to be the Church of Christ too, these are not real but fakes only." 

READ MORE: MY CHURCH

Sa pamamagitan ng kanilang lathala ay lalong lumilinaw na ang Iglesia Ni Cristo®-1914 ay HINDI  kay Cristo kundi sa mga MANALO lamang. Ito ay HINDI NAGMULA sa Diyos kundi nagmula sa mga Protestante! Hindi sila tunay na Kristiano kundi mga kulto! Hindi maka-Diyos kundi makasanlibutan!

Hanggang sa kasalukuyan, ang mga mamamahayag ay NAGPAPAKILALA pa rin sa INC™ bilang TATAG ni G. FELIX MANALO at hindi si Cristo! Sapagkat ito ay isang KATOTOHANANG hindi mapapalitan ninuman sa mga pahina ng kasaysayan ng tao!

GISING! Habang may panahon pa kayong magtika at bumalik sa tunay na Iglesia ni Cristo. Ito ang panawagan natin sa mga nasa ka-Diliman pa hanggang ngayon na lumapit na sa kaliwanagan ng tunay na Iglesia. 

Sa pahanon ng Adbiento (Advent), ihanda natin ang ating mga sarili sa pagdiriwang ng Kanyang kapanganakan upang sa Kanyang kaluwalhatian ay tayo'y dalisay na makikibahagi rito.

MALIGAYANG PAGDIRIWANG NG UNANG LINGGO NG ADBIENTO!

PDI (2015): Iglesia nonsense

Philippine Daily Inquirer /  August 31, 2015

Photo source: PDI

THE OFFICIAL reasons given by Iglesia ni Cristo officials and spokespersons for the protest actions that began on Thursday—first at the Department of Justice in Manila, then at the Edsa Shrine in Quezon City, and then since Saturday at the intersection of Edsa and Shaw in Mandaluyong—do not make sense. They do not stand logical or legal scrutiny. Instead, they betray the surge of panic that has overtaken some of the leaders of the influential church.

To begin, not at the beginning, but at the end: The protest organizers misunderstand the longstanding doctrine of the separation of church and state, which is the main reason they have offered to justify their collective mass action. That doctrine does not mean that offenses committed internally—that is, inside the church or within the congregation—cannot be investigated by the state; if a crime is involved, or alleged, then by definition that kind of violation is an offense against “the people,” and the state is duty-bound to investigate the matter. If evidence exists of the crime, the state must prosecute the guilty to the fullest extent, to meet the ends of justice.

The separation doctrine the officials of the Iglesia ni Cristo are invoking do not grant them, or indeed any leader or member of any church, an exemption from that fundamental principle: No one is above the law.

Last week, the family of a former highly placed minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo filed a case for serious illegal detention against eight members of the church’s governing council. Isaias Samson Jr., the former chief editor of the official Iglesia publication, and his wife and son sued the officials—allegedly for detaining them for nine days in July in their own home, holding them incommunicado, confiscating their passports and subjecting them to repeated interrogation. (In the blog of the whistle-blower using the pseudonym Antonio Ramirez Ebangelista, the eight are identified as Glicerio Santos Jr., Radel Cortez, Bienvenido Santiago Sr., Mathusalem Pareja, Rolando Esguerra, Eraño Codera, Rodelio Cabrerra and Maximo Bularan.) The nightmare happened because Samson was suspected of being the whistle-blower Ebangelista, and it ended only when the family escaped.

A Church in Seattle Which Originated in the Philippines Founded by Felix Manalo was Attacked

The Iglesia Ni Cristo®-1914 is again in the international headlines after an attacker threw an explosive material believed to be a Molotov in front of their church building in Seattle USA while more than 50 church members were having church activities inside. 

As the news was reported, the said church was correctly and factually described as "ORIGINATED FROM THE PHILIPPINES"

"Iglesias Ni Cristo originated in the Philippines, according to the organization's website. On Friday, some members of the Filipino community in Seattle expressed concern that the church was targeted." -King5.com

And in another news, the INC™-1914 was described as "FOUNDED BY FILIPINO FELIX MANALO."

"During the evening service in the Church Iglesia Ni Cristo was thrown several bottles of flammable liquid. 

"International Christian Church was founded in 1914 by Filipino Felix Manalo." -Sivpost.com

Hindi Nagbabago Ang Katotohanang si Felix Y. Manalo Ang Nagtatag ng Iglesia Ni Cristo®

The INC was founded in 1914 by Felix Manalo, who the church claims was “the last messenger of God”.

"In the 2010 national census, 2.45 per cent of the population said they were members, making it the third largest religion in the Philippines after Roman Catholicism and Islam. It also has supporters around the world, particularly in overseas Filipino communities.

Source: Philippine Lifestyle

A typical example of an Iglesia Ni Christo church and, inset, Lowell Menorca

Ang mga MAKASANLIBUTAN ay bumili na naman ng mga ari-arian sa lupa

"Just over a century after the INC was founded in 1914" - this statement suggests the obvious. The real Church of Jesus Christ was founded in the First Centuries not in the 20th Century, and that is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ [read here].

INC buys another US town

By Edu Punay (The Philippine Star) | Updated July 17, 2017 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - The expansion of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) continues in the United States with the acquisition of a second town: the long-abandoned Johnsonville in Connecticut, reportedly for $1.85 million.

Glicerio Santos Jr., general auditor of the INC, announced over the weekend that their church acquired Johnsonville as part of its aggressive expansion in the US.

Reports said the seller of Johnsonville was the Meyer Jabara Hotels, which bought the property for $2.5 million in 2001. Reports also said the sale of the property was quick; emissaries first visited Johnsonville only in late June.

The INC earlier acquired Scenic Town in South Dakota.

Santos said the INC, after establishing numerous chapels in many states across the US, is “breathing new life into old, abandoned US towns.”

Santos also bared that the INC would be working to “restore, rehabilitate, and reinvigorate the town of Johnsonville, Connecticut” after acquiring the almost 200 year-old town, which was abandoned for 20 years.

“We already have three congregations in Connecticut and we believe that restoring Johnsonville to its former glory is just part and parcel of our responsibility as positive contributors in the state,” he added.

Johnsonville is a 62-acre property with a church, meeting house, general store, pond and covered bridge.

Santos described the town as “picture perfect,” but the INC would be doing its best to restore Johnsonville to the way it looked when it was established in the mid-1800s.

“Johnsonville looks like it was frozen in time. It’s a beautiful, picturesque property, so all our efforts will be focused on restoration. We will also establish our first eco-farming here in the US to create jobs and livelihood in this town,” he added.

Just over a century after the INC was founded in 1914, the homegrown church has gone global under the leadership of executive minister Eduardo Manalo... CONTINUE READING

Iglesia Ni Cristo® - 1914: On Pope Francis receiving Pasugo

Itong nailathalang balita sa Eagle News ay DELETED na po sa kasalukuyan.

Narito ang isang napakagandang komento ng isang Catholic defender tungkol sa isyu ng pag-aabot ng magasing Pasugo ng isang kaanib ng INC™ sa Santo Papa:

The joke is on them.

The INC media is making a big deal out of a chance encounter one of its members had with Pope Francis in Rome recently during which he was given a copy of its sectarian literature as though it was its greatest achievement aside from the Philippine Arena.

The implication is that they have scored points against the very person they and other anti-Catholics consider as the "Antichrist" himself, and by extension, against all Catholics. But the overtly deferential attitude of the INC member shows otherwise. In fact, he looks like a fan boy having his close encounter with his childhood hero. Moreover, the INC media fails to see the irony in referring to the pontiff as Pope (Father), a big no-no as far as their "theology" is concerned.

Actually, the "meeting" does not prove anything except what we already know: that Pope Francis is so pure a soul that he welcomes even those who treat him as their number one enemy warmly, and that they excel at the religious equivalent of social climbing.

If you're a common termite, why would you even brag about meeting another termite or an amoeba when you can brag about meeting the lion?

INC does not seem to realize that the popes, past and present, have met with all sorts of people before, including Queen Elizabeth, the head of the Church of England; Patriarch Bartholomew, the primus inter pares of the Orthodox churches; the Ayatollahs of Iran; and Stephen Hawking, the greatest living scientist and an atheist.

And in case they don't know yet, Pope John Paul II once prayed inside the Grand Mosque of Syria and at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem as a gesture of goodwill. His funeral was attended by world leaders from US presidents and Saudi sheiks to Hollywood A-listers.

The Chief Rabbi of Rome, Israel Zolli, was so moved by what Pius XII had done in saving many Jews during the Holocaust that he converted almost overnight.

Again, the joke is on them. 

PINALAKPAKAN ANG ISANG SINUNGALING!

Mahigit 1 Bilyong Piso raw ang Utang ng Iglesia Ni Cristo® sa mga Bangko (?), ayon sa report ng Rappler

MILLIONS IN LOANS? Documents show that key INC officials were signatories in loan agreements to fund the Ciudad de Victoria project, which includes the Philippine arena.

The late INC executive minister Eraño Manalo once said, 'Ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay walang utang kahit na saang bangko. Ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay hindi nagsasanla ng mga titulo ng lupa para lamang makakuha ng pondo.'

By Katerina Francisco for RAPPLER

Published 12:59 PM, July 27, 2016 
(INC 102 Founding Anniversary)

MANILA, Philippines – It was touted as a world-class structure fit to showcase the growing clout of homegrown Philippine church Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). On Wednesday, July 27, the influential church celebrates its 102nd year.

Two years ago in 2014, the Iglesia opened the Philippine Arena, the world’s largest indoor theater, to widespread attention: an P8.7-billion ($200 million) megastructure that served as the centerpiece of the sprawling 75-hectare Ciudad de Victoria complex in Bulacan.

Conceived, designed, and envisioned as a world-class stage for local and international events, the arena has played host to several events: from the INC’s centennial celebrations, to a concert by local celebrity tandem AlDub, and a performance by American pop superstar Katy Perry.

An expert on sociology of religion, Jayeel Cornelio said of the Iglesia ni Cristo in a previous interview that the Philippine Arena "is an establishment, is a marker, of what they (INC) are right now in the 21st century. They're not a religion in the Philippines. They're a religion in the world.”

Funds for the arena, the INC said, came from the donations of its members, a practice that aligns with the teachings of the church’s second executive minister, the late Eraño “Ka Erdy” Manalo.

In some of his messages to INC members, Ka Erdy had emphasized that the INC should spend within its means, and denounced the idea of the church incurring debts to fund its projects.

Documents obtained by Rappler, however, showed that INC officials had engaged in agreements with two banks, to obtain a P1.137 billion loan to partially fund the construction of Phase 1 of the Ciudad de Victoria project.

According to recitals in the loan documents, Phase 1 of the project includes the construction of a “multi-purpose indoor arena, and certain commercial and retail buildings and structures.”

But several amendments to the agreements showed that INC leaders had asked for additional amounts of up to P3 billion to repay the existing loan.

To secure these loan agreements, at least 61 INC-owned properties – ranging from church sites to residential and agricultural areas in Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Cavite, and Baguio – were put up as mortgaged collateral.

In addition to this, 317 condominium units in Quezon City, with a total market value of more than P1 billion, were also included as collateral.

Up to P3 billion requested

Based on the documents, the INC was one of the parties in loan agreements entered into by the Maligaya Development Corporation (MDC) with two banks: the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (MBTC) and the Asia United Bank Corporation (AUB).

MDC, the borrower, was represented by Glicerio Santos IV, while the INC was represented by the church’s auditor, Glicerio Santos Jr. (READ: Part 1: Who is Glicerio Santos Jr in the Iglesia ni Cristo?)

Santos Jr was also the signatory for the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation (FMF) and the New Era University (NEU).

According to the memorandum of agreement among MDC, NEU, and INC, the church agreed to turnover the completion of Phase 1 of the Ciudad de Victoria project to NEU, with the participation of MDC.

NEU and MDC were to take part in the “financing, construction and development” of the project.

To finance this, MDC acted as borrower in a March 2014 omnibus loan and security agreement with lender MBTC. The latter agreed to provide P1,137,500,000 to partially fund the construction and development of Phase 1 of the project.

But in July 2014, MDC requested for P750 million from MBTC to repay its existing loan.

A month after that, MDC and MBTC entered into a second amendment to the omnibus agreement. MDC sought up to P3 billion to repay its existing loan, putting the total principal amount to up to P4,887,500,000.

Mortgaged collateral

To secure the loan, MDC and the third party mortgagors (those who mortgage their property) – INC and FMF – provided additional mortgaged collateral, covering 61 INC-owned properties. These properties ranged from church sites to agricultural properties to residential ones, located in various areas in Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, and Baguio.

In addition to this, 317 units owned by the INC in LIG Condominium in Quezon City were included as additional mortgaged collateral. According to the appraisal report, the units have a total market value of P1,000,317,000.

Balitang Canada: Iglesia Ni Cristo® tinawag na kulto ni Menorca

GINANG NA TUMULONG UMANO KAY ANGEL MANALO, NIRATRAT NG BALA ANG BAHAY

AKSYON | Nangangamba ngayon ang isang ginang na tumulong sa itiniwalag ng Iglesia Ni Cristo na si Angel Manalo. Niratrat kasi ng bala ang kanyang bahay sa Rizal. Ulat ni Jay De Castro. (Video uploaded by Melquezedek Ariola; Manuscript edited by Pepher Operio. For any concerns, you may
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Gunman fired shot into an Ex-INC™, Lottie Manalo et. al, not leaving compound, Traffic caused by INC™ in Pasig!

Gunmen fire shots into Tanay home of ex-INC member

FOUR unidentified men fired shots into the house of a known supporter of an estranged sibling of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) executive minister Eduardo Manalo in Tanay, Rizal province, early Friday morning.

Lorelei de los Santos said she refused to believe that the attack may be related to the support she had given to Lolita Manalo-Hemedez over the past few months.

“I can’t fathom the idea that they would do this to me. I didn’t expose anything. I just supported Ka Lottie since she called for our help, because I can’t take it in my heart to see someone suffer,” De los Santos told the Inquirer in a phone interview. “I haven’t done anything wrong. I didn’t hurt or malign anyone. I love the INC. Even if I was expelled, I still remain a faithful INC member at heart.”

“I’m still shaken. I’m really racking my brains and trying to remember if I’ve done something wrong to anyone,” she said. Her husband was also “reviewing” if he had crossed anyone in the past. Read more: Inquirer.Net

Manalo siblings to stay put at 36 Tandang Sora until new order

Iglesia ni Cristo lawyer Moises Tolentino Jr says they plan to request next week for a writ of execution before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court, the court authorized to release the document

MANILA, Philippines – Lottie Manalo-Hemedez and Angel Manalo, the estranged siblings of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) executive minister Eduardo Manalo, cannot be kicked out of the contested 36 Tandang Sora property in Quezon City (QC) just yet.

This is after the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) Branch 12 clarified this week that it cannot issue the writ of execution on its earlier decision for the siblings to “immediately vacate” the compound, following the INC’s unlawful detainer case against the Manalos.

An unlawful detainer case stems from a landlord's complaint against a tenant who allegedly illegally continues to use his or her property. The landlord seeks the help of the court to evict the tenant.

“The court said the Manila MTC has only been delegated the function of receiving evidence and conducting the hearing. But a writ of execution can only be issued by the QC MTC,” Hemedez’s lawyer Trixie Angeles-Cruz told Rappler on Saturday, June 25.

The INC previously filed an illegal detainer case against the Manalos for insisting on staying at 36 Tandang Sora even after their expulsion from the 101-year-old church.

Manila MTC Branch 12 Presiding Judge Anne Perpetual Rivera-Sia ruled that the Manalos’ stay at 36 Tandang Sora is no longer legal and ordered them to surrender the property to the INC. Read More...

Heavy traffic expected in parts of Pasay City due to Iglesia event

GMA News' Vonne Aquino reported on Unang Balita that the group's activity could cause traffic congestion on FB Harrison, Gil Puyat Avenue, Taft Avenue, and Roxas Boulevard from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority officials have advised the motorists and public transport vehicles to take alternate routes to get to their destinations.

The Lingap-Pamamahayag in Cuneta Astrodome will be facilitated by the Iglesia Ni Cristo-Metro Manila South Sector. —Kiersnerr Gerwin Tacadena/ LBG, GMA News